TW202335982A - Conveyance apparatus and method with adjustable fluid flow - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a glass article includes a glass conveyance apparatus that includes a plenum chamber having a fluid inlet, a plurality of slide gates in fluid communication with the plenum chamber that include a plurality of apertures and are movable from a first position to a second position, and a fluid bearing table proximate the plurality of slide gates that includes a plurality of orifices.

Description

Conveying apparatus and method with adjustable fluid flow

This case claims priority under the patent law to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/272,852 filed on October 28, 2021, which is based on its contents and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present case relates generally to methods and apparatus for conveying glass, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for conveying glass with adjustable fluid flow.

In the production of glass articles, such as glass sheets for display applications, including televisions and handheld devices such as phones and tablets, glass ribbons can flow from the forming device. As the glass ribbon flows from the forming device, it can be conveyed for further processing into individual glass articles or glass sheets. During such transportation, physical contact with quality areas (i.e., non-edge areas) of the glass ribbon is preferably minimized to prevent scratches or other defects on the surface of the glass ribbon. As glass ribbons become thinner and/or wider, it becomes increasingly difficult to transport the glass ribbon without physically contacting the quality areas while preventing undesirable deformation (eg, sagging) of the glass ribbon areas. Therefore, there is an increasing need for improved methods for conveying thin and/or wide glass ribbons.

Embodiments disclosed herein include apparatus for making glass articles. The equipment includes glass conveying equipment. The glass delivery apparatus includes a gas-filled chamber having a fluid inlet. The glass conveying apparatus also includes a plurality of sliding gates in fluid communication with the plenum chamber, the sliding gates being movable from a first position to a second position. Each of the plurality of sliding gates includes a plurality of openings. In addition, the glass conveying device includes a fluid carrying platform adjacent to the plurality of sliding gates, and the fluid carrying platform includes a plurality of orifices. The plenum chamber is not in fluid communication with the at least one orifice when the at least one sliding gate is in the first position, and the plenum chamber is in fluid communication with the at least one orifice when the at least one sliding gate is in the second position.

Embodiments disclosed in this case also include a glass conveying device. The glass delivery apparatus includes a gas-filled chamber having a fluid inlet. The glass conveying device also includes a plurality of sliding gates in fluid communication with the plenum chamber, and the sliding gates are movable from a first position to a second position. Each of the plurality of sliding gates includes a plurality of openings. In addition, the glass conveying device includes a fluid carrying platform adjacent to the plurality of sliding gates, and the fluid carrying platform includes a plurality of orifices. The plenum chamber is not in fluid communication with the at least one orifice when the at least one sliding gate is in the first position, and the plenum chamber is in fluid communication with the at least one orifice when the at least one sliding gate is in the second position.

Additionally, embodiments disclosed herein include a method of manufacturing a glass article. The method includes flowing a glass ribbon from the forming device and in a drawing direction to a glass conveying device. The glass delivery apparatus includes a gas-filled chamber having a fluid inlet. The glass transfer apparatus also includes a plurality of sliding gates in fluid communication with the plenum chamber and movable from a first position to a second position. Each of the plurality of sliding gates includes a plurality of openings. In addition, the glass conveying equipment includes a fluid carrying platform adjacent to the plurality of sliding gates, and the fluid carrying platform includes a plurality of orifices. The plenum chamber is not in fluid communication with the at least one orifice when the at least one sliding gate is in the first position, and the plenum chamber is in fluid communication with the at least one orifice when the at least one sliding gate is in the second position.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be set forth in the following detailed description, and will be, in part, apparent to those skilled in the art from this description, or by practice of the disclosed embodiments, including those that follow. Detailed description, patent scope, and attached drawings can be understood.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or concept for understanding the nature and characteristics of the disclosed embodiments. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate different embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, explain the principles and operation thereof.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

A range may be expressed in this context as from "about" one particular value and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and/or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will also be understood that each endpoint of a range is significant in relation to and independent of the other endpoint.

The directional terms used in this case, such as up, down, right, left, front, back, top, and bottom, are only made with reference to the diagram shown and are not intended to imply absolute directions.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, any method set forth herein should not be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a particular order or, with respect to any device, in a particular direction. Therefore, if a method request does not actually recite the sequence to be followed by its steps, or any device request does not actually recite the order or orientation of individual components, or the steps are not otherwise specifically stated in the request or specification, If a specific order is not intended to be limited, or a specific order or orientation of components of a device is not described, no order or orientation should in any way be inferred. This applies to any possible non-expressive basis for interpretation, including: logical questions regarding the arrangement of steps, the flow of operations, the order of parts, or the orientation of parts, or simple meanings derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, as well as questions about the embodiments described in the specification. quantity or type.

As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" component includes aspects with two or more such components, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used in this case, the term "cooling mechanism" refers to a mechanism that provides increased heat transfer from a region relative to the absence of such a cooling mechanism. Heat transfer can occur through at least one of conduction, convection, or radiation.

As used herein, the term "heating mechanism" means a mechanism that provides reduced heat transfer from an area or increased heat transfer to an area relative to the absence of such a heating mechanism. Heat transfer can occur through at least one of conduction, convection, or radiation.

As used in this case, the term "shell" refers to the shell in which the glass ribbon is formed, wherein as the glass ribbon passes through the shell, it generally cools from a relatively high temperature to a relatively low temperature. Although the disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to a fusion down draw process in which the glass ribbon flows down through the shell in a generally vertical direction, such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as float, slot draw process, a pull-up process, and a rolling process, in which the glass ribbon can flow through the shell in different directions, such as a generally vertical direction or a generally horizontal direction.

Shown in Figure 1 is an example glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In some examples, glassmaking equipment 10 may include a glass furnace 12 , which may include a melting vessel 14 . In addition to the melting vessel 14, the glass melting furnace 12 may optionally include one or more additional components, such as heating elements (eg, burners or electrodes) that heat the feedstock and convert the feedstock into molten glass. In a further example, glass melting furnace 12 may include thermal management devices (eg, insulating components) that reduce heat loss from the vicinity of the melting vessel. In still further examples, glass furnace 12 may include electronics and/or motors that assist in melting raw materials into a glass melt. Additionally, glass furnace 12 may include support structures (eg, support chassis, support elements, etc.) or other components.

The glass melting vessel 14 is typically constructed of a refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material, such as one containing alumina or zirconia. In some examples, glass melting vessel 14 may be constructed of refractory ceramic tiles. Specific embodiments of the glass melting vessel 14 will be described in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, a glass furnace may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing facility to manufacture glass substrates, such as glass ribbons having a continuous length. In some examples, the glass furnace of the present invention may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing facility, including slot drawing equipment, float bath equipment, down-draw equipment such as fusion processes, up-draw equipment, that would benefit from the disclosures herein. rolling equipment, tube drawing equipment or any other glass manufacturing equipment. By way of example, Figure 1 schematically illustrates a glass furnace 12 as one component of a molten down-draw glass making apparatus 10 for melt-drawing a ribbon of glass for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

Glassmaking equipment 10 (eg, melt downdraw equipment 10) may optionally include an upstream glassmaking equipment 16 disposed upstream relative to glass melting vessel 14. In some examples, a portion of the upstream glassmaking facility 16 or the entire upstream glassmaking facility 16 may be incorporated as part of the glass furnace 12 .

As shown, the upstream glass manufacturing equipment 16 may include a storage tank 18, a raw material conveying device 20, and a motor 22 connected to the raw material conveying device. Storage tank 18 may be configured to store an amount of feedstock 24 that may be fed into melting vessel 14 of glass furnace 12 , as indicated by arrow 26 . Feedstock 24 typically includes one or more glass-forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some examples, the feedstock transfer device 20 may be powered by a motor 22 such that the feedstock transfer device 20 transfers a predetermined amount of feedstock 24 from the storage tank 18 to the melting vessel 14 . In a further example, motor 22 may power feedstock delivery device 20 to introduce feedstock 24 at a controlled rate based on the level of molten glass sensed downstream from melting vessel 14 . Feedstock 24 within melting vessel 14 may then be heated to form molten glass 28.

The glassmaking facility 10 may also optionally include a downstream glassmaking facility 30 located downstream relative to the glass furnace 12 . In some embodiments, a portion of the downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may be incorporated as part of the glass furnace 12 . In some cases, the first connecting conduit 32 discussed below, or other portions of the downstream glassmaking equipment 30 , may be incorporated as part of the glass furnace 12 . Elements of the downstream glassmaking equipment, including the first connecting conduit 32, may be formed from noble metals. Suitable noble metals include platinum group metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and palladium, or alloys thereof. For example, downstream components of glass manufacturing equipment may be formed from a platinum-rhodium alloy that includes about 70% to about 90% by weight platinum and about 10% to about 30% by weight rhodium. However, other suitable metals may include molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof.

The downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may include a first conditioning (ie, processing) vessel, such as a clarification vessel 34, located downstream of the melting vessel 14 and connected to the melting vessel 14 by the first connecting conduit 32 described above. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from melting vessel 14 to fining vessel 34 via first connecting conduit 32 . For example, gravity may move molten glass 28 from the melting vessel 14 to the refining vessel 34 through the interior passage of the first connecting conduit 32 . However, other conditioning vessels may be located downstream of the melting vessel 14 , for example between the melting vessel 14 and the clarification vessel 34 . In some embodiments, a conditioning vessel may be used between the melting vessel and the refining vessel, where molten glass from a primary melting vessel is further heated to continue the melting process, or cooled to below the melting temperature before entering the refining vessel. The temperature of molten glass.

Bubbles can be removed from the molten glass 28 within the refining vessel 34 by various techniques. For example, feedstock 24 may include a multivalent compound (ie, a fining agent), such as tin oxide, which when heated undergoes a chemical reduction reaction and releases oxygen. Other suitable fining agents include, but are not limited to, arsenic, antimony, iron, and cerium. The fining vessel 34 is heated to a temperature above the temperature of the melting vessel, thereby heating the molten glass and fining agent. Oxygen produced by the temperature-induced chemical reduction of the fining agent can diffuse or coalesce into bubbles created in the molten glass during the melting process. The expanding gas bubbles can then rise to the free surface of the molten glass in the refining vessel and then be discharged from the refining vessel. The oxygen bubbles may further cause mechanical mixing of the molten glass in the refining vessel.

The downstream glassmaking facility 30 may also include another conditioning vessel, such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing molten glass. Mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream of clarification vessel 34 . The mixing vessel 36 may be used to provide a uniform glass melt composition, thereby reducing cords of chemical or thermal inhomogeneities that may be present in the clarified molten glass exiting the fining vessel. As shown, the clarification vessel 34 may be connected to the mixing vessel 36 via a second connecting conduit 38 . In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from clarification vessel 34 to mixing vessel 36 via second connecting conduit 38 . For example, gravity may cause molten glass 28 to pass from the clarification vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 via the internal path of the second connecting conduit 38 . Although mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of clarification vessel 34 , mixing vessel 36 may be located upstream of clarification vessel 34 . In some embodiments, downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may include multiple mixing vessels, such as a mixing vessel upstream of clarification vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream of clarification vessel 34 . These multiple mixing vessels may have the same design, or they may have different designs.

The downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may also include another conditioning vessel, such as a transfer vessel 40 that may be located downstream of the mixing vessel 36 . The transfer vessel 40 may condition the molten glass 28 for feeding to a downstream forming device. For example, delivery vessel 40 may act as an accumulator and/or flow controller to regulate and/or provide a consistent flow of molten glass 28 to forming body 42 via outlet conduit 44 . As shown, the mixing container 36 may be connected to the delivery container 40 via a third connecting conduit 46 . In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from mixing vessel 36 to transfer vessel 40 via third connecting conduit 46 . For example, gravity may drive the molten glass 28 from the mixing vessel 36 to the delivery vessel 40 via the internal path of the third connecting conduit 46 .

The downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may also include a forming equipment 48 including the forming body 42 and inlet conduit 50 described above. The outlet conduit 44 may be configured to convey molten glass 28 from the transfer vessel 40 to the inlet conduit 50 of the forming apparatus 48 . For example, outlet conduit 44 may be nested within and spaced apart from the interior surface of inlet conduit 50 to provide a free surface of molten glass between the exterior surface of outlet conduit 44 and the interior surface of inlet conduit 50 . The forming body 42 in a fused down-draw glass making apparatus may include grooves 52 in an upper surface of the forming body 42 and converging forming surfaces 54 that converge in the draw direction along a bottom edge 56 of the forming body 42 . Molten glass delivered to the forming body tank via transfer vessel 40, outlet conduit 44, and inlet conduit 50 overflows the side walls of the tank and descends along converging forming surface 54 as separate streams of molten glass. The separate streams of molten glass merge below and along bottom edge 56 to create a single glass ribbon 58 that extends from bottom edge 56 by applying tension to the glass ribbon (e.g., by gravity, edge roller 72, and pull roller 82). The glass ribbon 58 is drawn in the draw or flow direction 60 to control the size of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and the viscosity of the glass increases. As a result, the glass ribbon 58 undergoes a viscoelastic transition and acquires mechanical properties that give the glass ribbon 58 stable dimensional characteristics. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 58 can be separated into individual glass sheets 62 by a glass separation device 100 in an elastic region of the glass ribbon. The robot 64 can then use the gripper tool 65 to transfer the individual glass sheets 62 to a conveyor system where the individual glass sheets can be further processed.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10 and process. The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 and process of Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1, except that in Figure 2, the forming device includes a forming container 142, the forming container 142 includes a slot 156, and the glass ribbon 58 passes through the slot 156. Flow in the draw direction 60. Additionally, in FIG. 2 , the glassmaking apparatus includes a pair of opposing forming rollers 160 downstream of slot 156 , which may be configured to contact opposing major surfaces of glass ribbon 58 . The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 also includes a redirection mechanism 170 configured to direct the draw direction 60 from a generally vertical 60A (i.e., parallel to gravity) between the forming device (including the forming vessel 142) and the redirection mechanism 170. vector), redirected to a generally horizontal 60B downstream of redirection mechanism 170 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the redirection mechanism 170 includes a plurality of rollers 180 , each roller configured to contact an edge region of the glass ribbon 58 . The rollers 180 may also facilitate horizontal transport of the glass ribbon 58 downstream of the redirection mechanism 170 .

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a glass conveying device 200 according to embodiments disclosed herein. Glass conveying equipment 200 includes an inflatable chamber 206 and a mounting bracket 208 . The glass delivery apparatus 200 also includes a fluid-carrying table 202 that includes a plurality of apertures 204 (eg, an array of apertures 204), each aperture extending through the thickness of the fluid-carrying table 202.

The plenum chamber 206 may include stainless steel, aluminum, or Inconel, for example. Fluid carrying platform 202 may include, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, Inconel, ceramic materials, or polymeric materials. Orifice 204 may, for example, have a diameter ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm.

4 and 5 illustrate top perspective views of a portion of a glass delivery apparatus 200 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, with the fluid carrying station 202 not shown. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the glass delivery apparatus 200 includes a plurality of sliding gates 210 in fluid communication with the plenum chamber 206 . In FIG. 4 , the sliding gate 210 can move in the direction indicated by the double arrow “X”, and in FIG. 5 , the sliding gate 210 can move in the direction indicated by the double arrow “Y”. Specifically, in FIG. 4 , the sliding gate 210 can move in a direction perpendicular to the drawing direction 60 , while in FIG. 5 , the sliding gate 210 can move in a direction parallel to the drawing direction 60 .

FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the glass conveying device 200 according to the embodiment disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 6 , plenum chamber 206 includes fluid inlet 212 . Fluid inlet 212 may facilitate the flow of fluid into plenum chamber 206 from a fluid source (not shown).

Although the fluid flowing into the plenum chamber 206 via the fluid inlet 212 may include at least one of a gas or a liquid, in certain exemplary embodiments, the fluid includes a gas, such as air. For example, the fluid may include at least one of nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, helium, argon, or combinations thereof. The fluid may also consist or consist essentially of at least one of nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, helium, argon, or combinations thereof.

7 illustrates a side perspective view of a portion of a glass delivery apparatus 200 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, with one side of the plenum chamber 206 not shown. As shown in FIG. 7 , the glass delivery apparatus 200 includes a fluid diffuser 214 . A fluid diffuser 214 is positioned within the plenum chamber 206 and extends between the fluid inlet 212 and the plurality of sliding gates 210 (eg, shown in Figures 4 and 5).

Figures 4, 6, and 7 illustrate a glass delivery apparatus 200 having a fluid carrying station 202 that includes a generally planar surface. The disclosed embodiments may also include a delivery device 200 having a fluid-carrying table 202 that includes other surface geometries, such as non-planar surfaces. For example, as shown by dashed lines "A" and "B" in FIG. 7 , the fluid carrying platform 202 may have a curved surface in one or more directions.

Figure 8 illustrates a top perspective view of fluid diffuser 214 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. The fluid diffuser 214 includes a plurality of perforations or orifices 216 through which fluid can flow from one major surface (i.e., facing the fluid inlet 212) to another major surface of the fluid diffuser 214 (i.e., facing the fluid inlet 212). Sliding gate 210). When located within the plenum chamber 206 , for example, in FIG. 7 , the fluid diffuser 214 serves to redistribute the fluid flow such that the fluid flow and pressure are more evenly distributed within the plenum chamber between the fluid diffuser 214 and the sliding gate 210 in the area of chamber 206 (i.e., in the area of plenum chamber 206 above fluid diffuser 214, as shown in FIG. 7 ) than in the area of plenum chamber 206 between fluid inlet 212 and fluid diffuser 214 ( That is, in the area of the plenum chamber 206 below the fluid diffuser 214 as shown in FIG. 7 ).

In certain exemplary embodiments, fluid diffuser 214 may include stainless steel, aluminum, Inconel, a ceramic material, or a polymeric material. The perforations or apertures 216 may, for example, have a diameter ranging from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm.

9A-9D illustrate top perspective views of sliding gates 210A-D in accordance with disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 9A , the sliding gate 210A includes a plurality of openings 218A, which have substantially the same size, shape, and distance between each other. As shown in FIG. 9B , the sliding gate 210B includes a plurality of openings 218B, which have substantially the same size and shape but have different relative distances from each other. Specifically, sliding gate 210B includes a higher density of openings 218B near its end regions than in its central region. As shown in FIG. 9C , the sliding gate 210C includes a plurality of openings 218C, which have substantially the same size and shape but have different relative distances from each other. Specifically, sliding gate 210C includes a lower density of openings 218C near its end regions than in its central region. As shown in FIG. 9D , the sliding gate 210D includes a plurality of openings 218D, at least some of which have different sizes, shapes, or distances between each other.

In certain exemplary embodiments, sliding gates 210A-D may include stainless steel, aluminum, Inconel, a ceramic material, or a polymeric material. Openings 218A-D may, for example, have a diameter ranging from about 1 millimeter to about 1 centimeter.

10 and 11 illustrate side cross-sectional perspective views of a portion of a glass delivery apparatus 200 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Specifically, FIG. 10 shows a portion of the fluid carrying platform 202 and a portion of the sliding gate 210 positioned in a first position relative to the fluid carrying platform 202 . As shown in FIG. 10 , when the sliding gate 210 is positioned near and below the fluid carrying platform 202 , the opening 204 of the fluid carrying platform 202 is not in fluid communication with the opening 218 of the sliding gate 210 , so that the plenum chamber 206 is not in fluid communication with the opening 218 of the sliding gate 210 . Orifice 204 is in fluid communication. In contrast, FIG. 11 shows the portion of the fluid-carrying platform 202 and the portion of the sliding gate 210 positioned in a second position relative to the fluid-carrying platform 202 , wherein the sliding gate 210 has moved relative to the fluid-carrying platform 202 as indicated by the arrow. Shown as "M". As shown in FIG. 11 , the opening 204 of the fluid bearing platform 202 is axially aligned with the opening 218 of the sliding gate 210 such that the opening 204 of the fluid bearing platform 202 is in fluid communication with the opening 218 of the sliding gate 210 , thus inflating the chamber. 206 is in fluid communication with orifice 204.

Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein include those in which the plenum chamber 206 is not in fluid communication with the at least one orifice 204 when the at least one sliding gate 210 is in the first position (eg, as shown in FIG. 10 ), and when the at least one An embodiment in which the plenum chamber 206 is in fluid communication with the at least one orifice 204 when the sliding gate 210 is in the second position (eg, as shown in FIG. 11 ).

FIG. 12 shows a side cross-sectional perspective view of the glass ribbon 58 and a portion of the glass conveying device 200 according to embodiments disclosed herein. Specifically, FIG. 12 shows that glass ribbon 58 may be positioned and/or transferred over fluid-carrying station 202 such that fluid pad 158 extends between fluid-carrying station 202 and glass ribbon 58 . For example, when the at least one sliding gate 210 is in the second position (eg, as shown in FIG. 11 ), the fluid cushion 158 may be created such that the plenum chamber 206 is in fluid communication with the at least one orifice 204 such that the gas from the plenum chamber 206 The fluid flows through the orifice 204 toward the glass ribbon 58 (so that the plenum chamber 206 can be in fluid communication with the glass ribbon 58 ), which in turn contributes to the height of the glass ribbon 58 above the fluid pad 158 .

In certain exemplary embodiments, the glass ribbon 58 positioned and/or delivered over the fluid carrying table 202 has a thickness of less than about 0.5 mm, such as less than about 0.4 mm, and further such as less than about 0.3 mm, and still further such as Less than about 0.2 mm, such as about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, including about 0.2 mm to about 0.4 mm.

By moving one or more sliding gates 210 relative to the fluid carrying table 202, the amount of fluid communication between the plenum chamber 206 and the glass ribbon 58 can be changed or adjusted. For example, the embodiments disclosed herein include those without the sliding gate 210, some, or all of the plurality of sliding gates 210 in the first position or the second position, and/or moving from the first position to the second position. For example, depending on the configuration of the sliding gate 210, including the arrangement of openings on the sliding gate 210 (eg, as shown in Figures 9A-9D), and the configuration of the fluid carrying platform 202, including the arrangement of the openings 204 on the fluid carrying platform 202 , movement of the sliding gate 210 may cause a percentage of the orifices 204 to be in fluid communication with the plenum chamber 206 (ie, via fluid flow through the openings of the sliding gate 210).

For example, when at least one of the plurality of sliding gates 210 is in the first position, less than about 75%, such as less than about 50%, further such as less than about 25%, still further such as less than about 10%, For example, from about 0% to about 75%, and further, for example, from about 1% to about 50%, still further, for example, from about 2% to about 25%, and still further, for example, from about 3% to about 10% of the orifices 204 , can be in fluid communication with the plenum chamber 206. On the contrary, when at least one of the plurality of sliding gates 210 is in the second position, it is greater than about 25%, for example, greater than about 50%, and further, for example, greater than about 75%, and still further, for example, greater than about 90%, for example, from From about 25% to about 100%, further such as from about 50% to about 99%, still further such as from about 75% to about 98%, still further such as from about 90% to about 97% of the orifice 204, may be inflated with Chambers 206 are in fluid communication.

Therefore, the fluid pad 158 between the fluid carrying platform 202 and the glass ribbon 58 can be dynamically controlled or dynamically controlled in real time by moving one or more of the plurality of sliding gates 210 between, for example, a first position and a second position. adjust. For example, one or more of the plurality of sliding gates 210 may be controlled or adjusted depending on process conditions, including the geometry (eg, width and/or thickness) and/or drawing speed of the glass ribbon 58 . The total pressure exerted on the glass ribbon 58 by the glass transport device 200 is controlled or adjusted.

13 and 14 illustrate schematic side perspective views of an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10 and process according to embodiments disclosed herein. The glass manufacturing equipment 10 and process of Figures 13 and 14 are similar to that of Figure 2, except that in Figures 13 and 14, one or more glass transport devices 200 have been positioned along the draw direction 60 of the glass ribbon 58 (and have been replaced). some or all rollers 180).

Specifically, FIG. 13 shows glass transport apparatus 200 positioned below glass ribbon 58 along a generally horizontal 60B draw direction 60. Figure 13 also shows the glass transport apparatus 200 disposed below the glass ribbon 58 and between the generally vertical 60A and generally horizontal 60B draw directions 60 (i.e., relative to the generally vertical 60A and generally horizontal 60B draw directions 60 60 oriented at an inclination angle). Furthermore, FIG. 13 shows rollers 180 positioned along the draw direction 60 between and/or around the glass transport apparatus 200 such that FIG. 13 shows the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 including the rollers 180 and the glass transport apparatus 200 .

As with Figure 13, Figure 14 also shows at least one glass transport device 200 positioned below the glass ribbon 58 along the substantially horizontal draw direction 60B, and positioned below the glass ribbon 58 and in the substantially vertical 60A and substantially At least one glass transport device 200 between the upper horizontal 60B drawing direction 60. Additionally, Figure 14 shows two oppositely facing glass transport devices 200 positioned along a generally vertical 60A draw direction 60 (ie, positioned on either side of the glass ribbon 58 along the generally vertical 60A draw direction 60). Figure 14 also shows the glass transport apparatus 200 positioned above the glass ribbon 58 along the generally horizontal 60B draw direction 60, and positioned above the glass ribbon 58 between the generally vertical 6OA and generally horizontal 6OB draw directions 60 Two glass conveying devices 200.

Furthermore, more than one glass conveying device 200 may be positioned along the width of the glass ribbon 58, for example in the case of conveying a very wide glass ribbon 58 along the draw direction 60.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the glass transfer device 200 may include or provide a cooling mechanism and/or a heating mechanism to achieve heat transfer between the glass transfer device 200 and the glass ribbon 58 . The cooling mechanism may be caused, for example, by normal operation of the glass transfer apparatus 200 in which fluid from the plenum chamber 206 flows through the orifices 204 toward the glass ribbon 58 . Additionally, the cooling mechanism may include one or more components to provide additional heat transfer between the glass transport apparatus 200 and the glass ribbon 58, such as convection enhancers (eg, cooling fans) and/or include circulating cooling fluids (eg, multiple phase cooling system) system. The heating mechanism may include, for example, resistance-based, combustion-based, or induction-based heating components.

Embodiments disclosed herein enable the fabrication of thin and/or wide glass articles, such as thin and/or wide glass sheets having a flat surface with minimal surface defects, such as less than about 0.5 mm thick, such as less than about 0.4 mm thick, further For example, less than about 0.3 millimeters, still further, for example, less than about 0.2 millimeters, for example, from about 0.1 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters, including from about 0.2 millimeters to about 0.4 millimeters.

Although the above embodiments have been described with reference to melt down-drawing and slot-drawing, it should be understood that such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as flotation, up-drawing, and rolling processes.

Such processes can be used to make glass articles that can be used, for example, in electronic devices and other applications.

It is obvious to those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this application belongs that various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, the content of this case is intended to cover modifications and changes within the scope of the patent application and its equivalents.

10:Glass manufacturing equipment 12: Furnace 14: Melting container 16:Upstream glass manufacturing equipment 18:Storage box 20: Raw material conveying equipment 22: Motor 24:Raw materials 26:Arrow 28:Molten glass 30:Downstream glass manufacturing equipment 32: First connecting conduit 34: Clarification container 36: Mixing container 38:Second connecting duct 40:Conveyor container 42: Forming body 44:Exit duct 46:Third connecting duct 48:Forming equipment 50:Inlet duct 52:Slot 54: Converging forming surface 56: Bottom edge 58:Glass ribbon 60: Drawing direction 60A: roughly vertical 60B: roughly horizontal 62:Glass plate 64:Robot 65: Grip tool 72:Glass ribbon 82: Traction roller 100:Glass separation equipment 142: shaped container 156:Slot 158:Slot 160: Forming roller 170:Redirection Agency 180:Roller 200:Glass conveying equipment 202: Fluid carrying platform 204: Orifice 206: Inflatable chamber 208:Installation bracket 210:Sliding gate 210A: Sliding gate 210B:Sliding gate 210C: Sliding gate 210D: Sliding gate 212: Fluid inlet 214:Fluid diffuser 216:orifice 218A:Opening 218B:Opening 218C: Open hole 218D: Opening

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of exemplary fused down-draw glass manufacturing equipment and processes;

Figure 2 is a side schematic perspective view of exemplary glass manufacturing equipment and processes;

Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the glass conveying equipment according to the embodiment disclosed in this case;

Figure 4 is a top perspective view of a portion of a glass conveying device according to an embodiment disclosed in this case;

Figure 5 is a top perspective view of a portion of a glass conveying device according to an embodiment disclosed in this case;

Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the glass conveying equipment according to the embodiment disclosed in this case;

7 is a side perspective view of a portion of a glass conveying device according to embodiments disclosed herein;

Figure 8 is a top perspective view of a fluid diffuser according to an embodiment disclosed in this case;

9A-9D are top perspective views of the sliding gate according to the embodiment disclosed in the present case;

Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a glass conveying device according to an embodiment disclosed herein;

Figure 11 is a side cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a glass conveying device according to an embodiment disclosed herein;

Figure 12 is a side cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a glass ribbon and glass conveying equipment according to embodiments disclosed herein;

Figure 13 is a schematic side perspective view of exemplary glass manufacturing equipment and processes according to embodiments disclosed herein; and

Figure 14 is a schematic side perspective view of an exemplary glass manufacturing equipment and process according to embodiments disclosed herein.

Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date and number) without Overseas storage information (please note in order of storage country, institution, date, and number) without

60: Drawing direction

200:Glass conveying equipment

202: Fluid carrying platform

204: Orifice

206: Inflatable chamber

208:Installation bracket

Claims (22)

An equipment for manufacturing a glass product, including a glass conveying equipment, the glass conveying equipment includes: a plenum chamber including a fluid inlet; A plurality of sliding gates, the plurality of sliding gates are in fluid communication with the inflatable chamber, the plurality of sliding gates can move from a first position to a second position, each of the plurality of sliding gates includes a plurality of openings hole; a fluid bearing platform, the fluid bearing platform is adjacent to the plurality of sliding gates, the fluid bearing platform includes a plurality of orifices; and wherein when the at least one sliding gate is in the first position, the plenum chamber is not in fluid communication with the at least one orifice, and when the at least one sliding gate is in the second position, the plenum chamber is in fluid communication with the at least one orifice . The equipment of claim 1, wherein the equipment further includes a forming device configured to cause a glass ribbon to flow out of the forming device and toward the glass conveying equipment along a drawing direction. The device of claim 2, wherein the sliding gate can move in a direction parallel to the drawing direction. The device of claim 2, wherein the sliding gate can move in a direction perpendicular to the drawing direction. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a redirection mechanism configured to redirect the drawing direction from substantially vertical between the forming device and the redirection mechanism to Substantially horizontal downstream of the redirection mechanism. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the glass conveying apparatus is positioned along a substantially horizontal drawing direction. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the glass transport apparatus is positioned between a substantially vertical and a substantially horizontal drawing direction. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus includes two oppositely facing glass transport devices positioned along a substantially vertical drawing direction. A glass conveying equipment including: a gas-filled chamber including a fluid inlet; a plurality of sliding gates in fluid communication with the plenum chamber, the plurality of sliding gates being movable from a first position to a second position, each of the plurality of sliding gates including a plurality of openings; a fluid bearing platform adjacent to a plurality of sliding gates, the fluid bearing platform including a plurality of orifices; and Wherein, when the at least one sliding gate is in the first position, the plenum chamber is not in fluid communication with the at least one orifice, and when the at least one sliding gate is in the second position, the plenum chamber is in fluid communication with the at least one orifice. Oral fluid communication. The device of claim 9, further comprising a fluid diffuser located between the fluid inlet and the plurality of sliding gates. The device of claim 9, wherein the openings have substantially the same size, shape, and distance between each other. The device of claim 9, wherein the openings have at least one of different sizes, shapes, or distances between each other. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fluid bearing platform includes a substantially flat surface. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fluid bearing platform includes a non-planar surface. The device of claim 9, wherein the device includes at least one of a heating mechanism or a cooling mechanism. A method of manufacturing a glass product, including the step of flowing a glass ribbon from a forming device along a drawing direction to a glass conveying device, the glass conveying device including: a gas-filled chamber including a fluid inlet; a plurality of sliding gates in fluid communication with the plenum chamber, the plurality of sliding gates being movable from a first position to a second position, each of the plurality of sliding gates including a plurality of openings; a fluid bearing platform adjacent to the plurality of sliding gates, the fluid bearing platform including a plurality of orifices; and Wherein, when the at least one sliding gate is in the first position, the plenum chamber is not in fluid communication with the at least one orifice, and when the at least one sliding gate is in the second position, the plenum chamber is in fluid communication with the at least one orifice. Oral fluid communication. The method of claim 16, wherein the drawing direction is redirected from generally vertical between the forming device and a redirection mechanism to generally horizontal downstream of the redirection mechanism. The method of claim 17, wherein the glass conveying device is positioned along a generally horizontal drawing direction. The method of claim 17, wherein the glass transport device is positioned between a generally vertical and a generally horizontal drawing direction. The method of claim 17, wherein the glass conveying device includes two oppositely facing glass conveying devices positioned along a substantially vertical drawing direction. A glass article made by the method of claim 16. An electronic device comprising the glass product of claim 21.

Images